Power Struggle Flashcards
1
Q
How did want leadership to take shape after his death?
A
- After Lenin’s death, many wanted to achieve collective leadership as it aligned with Marxist stage theory, Lenin’s position was mostly secured by his forcefulness and to stabilise Bolshevik control however 1924, the main people that pushed this idea feared Trotsky
- Lenin challenged Marxism through his leadership known as Marxism - Leninism as Lenin had the struggles of revolution and civil war which the changes included a dictatorial style by refusing to admit errors, the 1921 ban on factions, centralised control and state bureaucracy
2
Q
How did the power vacuum begin?
A
- In May 1922, he had his first stroke leaving him incapacitated
- In December 1922, he had his second stroke which left him unable to speak and partially paralysed and one later that one left his bed ridden leaving his role in politics as limited
3
Q
Who were his minders?
A
- Wife
- Sister
- Stalin who held personal contact with Lenin, looked after him and transmitted his wishes to party leadership
4
Q
What were the Triumvirate (Troika)?
A
It was formed in 1922 - 23 by Zinoviev, Kamenev and Lenin to block the ambitions of Trotsky. Despite Stalin’s ignored talent and unpopularity as general sectary he was essential to alliances with the troika as well as Bukharin, Rykov, Tomsky and Radek
5
Q
Why did Lenin create his testament?
A
The ambitions and rivalries of those around him alarmed Lenin who attempted to guide the transition to a new leadership, “from beyond the grave,” through his testament of his view on future dangers
6
Q
How was the testament created?
A
- It was meant to be read out at party congress after his death
- Lenin dictated it over several days in late December 1922 due to his inabilities after his stroke and a post script was added in January 1923
7
Q
What was in the testament?
A
- It was an critical assessment of his inner circle even though they may succeed him
- Lenin didn’t name anyone his successor as he hoped for collective leadership to combine the best features of members of his inner circle but this was also not made clear
- Lenin was especially harsh towards Stalin after he claimed Georgia was won by a popular uprising not brute force and insulted Lenin’s wife after she prevented Stalin from visiting Lenin
- The testament never became public information as Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev persuaded against its release containing its potentially damaging impacts on politics
- After the development of the power struggle, it was used as a dangerous secret
8
Q
What was Stalin’s character like?
A
- Although his political achievements as a part of the triumvirate and the central committee were underrated, he was known as violent and an expert in dealing with the details of bureaucratic organisation as a hard worker
- His lack of recognition came from his intellectual inferiority as a son of a cobbler with a basic education
- He was aware of expanding party machinery and placed loyal supporters in key positions
- Kaganovich called him a soft individual as allies like Bukharin called him Koba as he was reasonable and reliable
- Whilst Stalin was jealous of others, he was ale to keep long - term aims hidden and wait for revenge
9
Q
What are the strengths of Stalin?
A
- General secretary in April 1922 which increased his influence over the loyalties of his subordinates
- Understood Marxism - Leninism
- Good at concealing his intentions due to him being underrated
- He knew and understood what Lenin wanted as he was close to him during his illness
- His fear of Trotsky allowed him to make the Triumvirate
10
Q
What are the weaknesses of Stalin?
A
- Negative public image as he was seen as crude and violent accentuated by Lenin’s criticisms of his actions
- He only played a minor role in the revolution as he was overshadowed by those who had a greater role or who had more popularity like Bukharin
- Even through, the testament wasn’t released, his colleagues knew Lenin had turned against him. Up until 1926, many Bolsheviks wanted to also hide the testament however Stalin was persistent so Lenin’s sister Mariya was enlisted to defend Stalin against criticisms from his opponents in the Politburo
11
Q
What was Trotsky’s character?
A
- By 1924, Trotsky had enough power to restrict the influence of other opponent leaving him with admirers such as Viktor Serge and Karl Radek who backed his revolutionary ideology and party democracy
- In 1924 - 25, his power weakened as Stalin grew in power however he did gain Kamenev and Zinoviev as allies to form the left opposition
- Unwilling to get involved in the details of party administration
- Trotsky was extremely arrogant about his abilities and was dismissive of those with lesser abilities such as Stalin
- He was prone to sudden bouts of illness and inaction at a time of crisis
12
Q
What are the strengths of Trotsky?
A
- He was an organiser and pushed action giving him power and prestige from his actions in the civil war and revolution
- He was also an exceptional ideologist and theoretician allowing him to make excellent speeches
- Many feared Trotsky as he could militarily seize power after Lenin’s death
13
Q
What are the weaknesses of Trotsky?
A
- Old Bolsheviks were suspicious of him as he was a late convert as a previous Menshevik
- Colleagues disliked him as he badly underrated Stalin
- Not attempt to build a support base within the party
- Inconsistent aims through his indecisiveness
- Opportunist as he only allied with Kamenev and Zinoviev as Stalin rose to power
- He made serious errors of judgement after attacking the party bureaucracy in 1924 when it needed support
14
Q
What is Kamenev’s character?
A
- He was capable and intelligent who could manage people and situations
- Despite being Trotsky’s brother in law, he opposed his political ambitions and sided with Zinoviev and acted as his partnership
- He saw himself as an important player in collective leadership rather than having ambition and ruthlessness as a leader
- He had a reputation for flip - flopping - being too ready to change sides
15
Q
What were Kamenev’s strengths?
A
- As an old Bolshevik, he helped party policy as a politburo member and close to Lenin so in 1922, he entrusted many of his personal papers to Kamenev
- He had a strong power base in Moscow from being chairman of the soviet from 1918
- He was regarded as thoughtful and intelligent, good at smoothing out difficulties amongst colleagues with the ability to get things done
